South African citrus producers are insisting their fruit is free of pests and disease after reports of a leaked memo suggested bosses were urging producers to avoid exporting through Spain because of stringent inspections.

The SA Citrus Growers Association said the reports it was urging exporters to avoid shipping to Europe through Spain was taken out of context.

A statement said: “As a responsible member of the international citrus fraternity [SA] aims to ensure that all consignments exported are pest and disease free.”

The association said that the internal memorandum was to encourage exporters to remain vigilant in order to maintain the country’s good track record.

Justin Chadwick, ceo of the CGA said: “Over the past five years South African citrus has established an enviable record in terms of the low number of phytosanitary interceptions in citrus exports to the European Union.

“Interceptions has been at a rate of one or two per annum. During August the Citrus Growers Association put out a cautionary internal memo to exporters following an interception in Spain.

“The reason for this cautionary was to ensure continued vigilance to all markets so as to maintain the excellent past record,” he said.

South Africa remains committed to the National Plant Protection Convention, and internal memos will be sent to exporters to ensure they keep their eye on the ball, he added. “In that way we will ensure our continued position as the world’s second largest citrus exporter.”

This year it is particularly important that interceptions are kept to a minimum, Chadwick said, as the EU SPS committee will meet to consider the final details of the Pest Risk Assessment (PRA) for citrus black spot.

“The PRA concludes that there is negligible risk of CBS becoming established in the EU through the trade in citrus fruits. It is important that we show responsibility while the EU makes their decision to an application lodged back in December 2000.”

Meanwhile, he said that despite tough markets the 2005 South African export programme is running very well. “We are receiving excellent co-operation from all our growers and exporters to service a wide range of market requirements around the world and we have established the highest degree of integrity in dealing with all the systems and protocols agreed with our trading partners.”

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